The Engagement Kiss

Hermione stood in front of the mirror looking at her wedding dress it was a muggle style dress as she and Naji had decided on a muggle wedding. They’d wanted to do a small ceremony and while it wasn’t anywhere near as large as Harry’s and Severus’ it still ended up rather large, courtesy of Ms. Weasley. Though she was glad it had snowed the day before the frost on the stained class church windows looked so beautiful and well romantic. She turned her attention back onto the mirror; her hair had been slicked down and made soft for the event. She couldn’t resist running a hand though it but there was a veil in the way now. She was getting antsy waiting for her Father to come get her and giver her away, though her parents had made a bit of a stint over it when she’d announced she was getting married December 3rd to some guy they’d never met. Both were over that now after meeting their polite, handsome son-in-law-to-be despite his green hair.

He’d tried to dye it a natural color for the wedding but like his father’s it resisted all attempts. Not that Hermione minded that much, she actually liked the green hair it was different. Made her husband-to-be stand out from everyone else, plus it was just fun to mess with people and try to convince them it was his natural color. Finally her father came to lead her down the isle; everyone was gathered watching with rapt attention. Except for Harry the closer his due date got the less he seemed able to concentrate for long periods of time, unless it was something he was really into then it became impossible to get him away from whatever he was set on. She smiled both her and Naji had agreed on waiting a while to have children of their own but it was fun to watch Harry swell and begin to glow like all expecting ‘mothers’ did.

She looked back at her husband to be and felt her heart swell. Every part of her sang when they were together, that was her conviction that they were meant to be that they would survive getting married now rather than later; that they could spend the rest of their lives getting to know each others little quirks and kinks. Listening to the priest she waited for her moment to say I do. She looked at Tom, who was beaming with pride for his son and she couldn’t help but smile a little that the former Lord Voldemort had been in all their weddings. Aviva was beaming from the seats too, she looked far healthier now and her random mood swings towards the violent had ceased. She was draw back to the priest again when he said the line she’d been waiting to hear.

“Do you Hermione Granger take Naji Riddle to be your lawfully wedded husband?” the shaky old priest asked stoically. She smiled brightly and replied,

“I do.” The simple profound act of those two words filled her with an inexplicable joy. Naji looked the same as he swept her into a light but passionate kiss. The rest of the ceremony flew by until the reception, where Severus got his first taste of a muggle wine that he apparently found quite satisfactory. She had nearly died of giggles when he swayed over and started spouting congratulations and such. Harry had rolled his eyes in a gallant attempt to lead his mate away resulted in Severus tripping them both trying to grope his lover’s ass. They landed on the couch where the intoxicated spouse proceeded to kiss his younger mate senseless. Naji watched his cousin’s antics with a mix of amusement and conflict over whether or not to help him out. Harry however ended the dilemma by pushing Severus off him with a stern look and leaving him on the couch to chat animatedly with Tom.

“Congratulations Naji and Hermione.” He said walking over to them with a bemused smile. They returned the smiles;

“Thanks Harry. I do believe you should keep Severus away from wine in the future.” Naji said with a teasing grin,

“I told him muggle alcohol was stronger than he presumed.” Harry said ruefully glancing back and his husband for a moment, “Anyway your coming to the Christmas party at the manor right?” he asked looking back at them with begging eyes.

“Of course we are Harry, wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Hermione said with a grin and gave him a gentle hug. All in all it had been a wonderful year, she thought that night with a teasing smile at Naji who was pouting because her attention wasn’t totally on him. With a smile she kissed him on the nose.

“Welcome to the beginning love.” He whispered with a smile.

December 24th 1998
Harry looked up at the tree with a happy smile; this was their first Christmas all as a family. No worries besides cooking dinner right, which was Severus’ forte. Harry took the moment of quiet before everyone started to arrive to make sure all the presents were under the tree and securely wrapped. He’d taken many a painstaking hour picking out presents for every member of his new family and couldn’t wait to see their faces. He’d sent Ron, Draco and Az out on a few errands before the party because he knew Ron for one would’ve forgotten someone to get presents for and he needed the solitude of the manor to decorate. The trio was staying with Harry and Severus until they found a good house and jobs nearby, Ron had already started in his Aurora training despite the obvious lack of dark wizard lords at the moment. Harry didn’t mind in fact he delighted in having them their and had spent the previous day’s going over nursery plans with Draco and having a good time arguing over colors and toys. He looked up as said trio came in each with a few presents in their arms and red faces from the cold.

“It’s snowing.” Draco expressed happily shaking the white flakes of his dark green winter hat. Harry smile and collected the presents from them waddling slightly. He was approaching his fifth month of six and was noticing the changes more than ever. Severus came in followed by Naji and Hermione who added their gifts to the growing pile. Aviva and Tom were the last to arrive flashing in with guilty smiles. Harry chose not to point out that the last two buttons on Tom’s button down shirt were buttoned wrong. They all sat at the table and enjoyed Severus’ home cooked meal. A whole turkey, ham, stuffing, vegetables, candied yams, everything was absolutely perfect.

“So Harry when are you going to start the upheaval of Hogwarts?” Tom asked curiously. The younger man grinned and placed a protective hand on his stomach.

“Next September after the twins have been born.” He replied with a smile at Severus. Draco danced anxiously in his seat ever the impatient teenager,

“Can we open presents yet?” he asked with a grin eliciting laughs from everyone else. Harry nodded and they moved into the sitting room admiring his perfectly decorated tree. Draco took it upon himself to distribute presents and seated himself on the floor looking at all the labels. He could’ve just sorted magically but this was far more fun. After everyone had a present they started at Harry and opened them one by one. Harry’s first present was from Draco, Az and Ron’s names were included but they had gifts for Harry and Sev that would get opened later, who grinned shamelessly when Harry smirked at him. Harry removed the wrapping excruciatingly slowly until Draco groaned and glared at him. Laughing he gave in and childishly ripped off the remaining wrapping paper. Inside was a detailed ledger with gold trimmed pages. The ledger had room for names, classes, notes, a very detailed and animated calendar it was a very useful tool for the new headmaster of Hogwarts. The ledger also had two accompanying quills one spelled that so whatever he wrote was only visible to him and the other so it was only visible to those whose names he wrote above the passage. Harry smiled at his adoptive son; it was an excellent and thoughtful gift. Severus was next also holding a gift from Draco, wrapped in gaudy red and gold wrapping paper. The potions master glared at the present and made a face before tearing into the present. His present contained several rare potion ingredients plus a picture of a solid gold cauldron that Draco explained he’d had sent to the manor separately because it weighted a ton and to avoid contamination they wouldn’t let him cast a lightening spell on it so it should arrive within the week.

There was also a smaller box wrapped in purple paper that had a note saying ‘Open in private’ that Severus put to the side with a wary look at the blonde. Ron and Az opened their presents next, also from Draco; each of them received a pendant with a brilliant gem in the center, emerald for Ron and a ruby for Az, which sang of protection spells and love. Draco blushed when Az gave him a spontaneous hug. Hermione and Naji opened their gifts from Draco; Hermione received several spelled bookmarks that would mark both the page she left off at and any other pages she told to it and what information they held. Naji had also received a box of potion ingredients plus a set of robes made especially for potions, they were spelled to resist all ingredients and satins as well as mild fire. They thanked the veela with bright smiles. Tom and Aviva had a single gift from the veela and his mates as none of them really knew what to get the new Minister and his wife. They unwrapped the paper to find a ledger similar to Harry’s and two sets of matching formal robes for those pretentious parties. They smiled and thanked Draco for the thoughtful gifts.

Next Harry spelled all of his gifts to their respective recipients, Severus opening his first. The stoic man had to relinquish a soft chuckle at the ‘#1 Dad’ Sweatshirt that was perched on top of a few rare potion journals one of which Harry had painstakingly translated from parseltongue. Severus gave his mate a grateful kiss and smiled as he pulled on the sweatshirt. Draco, Ron and Az opened theirs next, Harry had debated for a while getting them all something that matched but had eventually decided against it. For Draco he’d gotten him a ‘#1 son’ sweatshirt and a key, he smiled when the blonde looked at him confused.

“It’s for the new room conjoining with yours, an entirely new nursery completely furnished.” He explained watching Draco’s face light up. The blonde jumped up and gave him a hug and then returned to settle between Ron and Az with a content grin. For Ron he’d gotten some dragon hide chaps and a wand sheath that would go below his robes; auror equipment. The redhead smiled gratefully. Az received a gift card to his favorite muggle clothing store and a beautifully designed set of robes. The brothers shared a smile and moved along. Hermione and Naji opening their gifts next both receiving a few books, one that stood out was a book on parenting with a note stuck to the cover ‘If you ever get to it.’ Naji chuckled while Hermione glared good-naturedly. Tom and Aviva received a family portrait of everyone present and wand sheathes similar to the one Ron received. They abandoned the organized progression; Harry opened his remaining presents receiving matching sets of baby clothes from Hermione and Naji, and books on parenting and business from Tom and Aviva. Severus got a few more potion ingredients from Naji and Tom both with unique goodies. The trio got some baby supplies too from Naji and Hermione while Ron got a certified invite to a specialty training session courtesy of Tom. Everyone looked satisfied with their gifts and gathered the more private ones to be opened on the actual day.

That night Harry lay beside Severus who was massaging circles on his lover’s stomach. Harry basked in the simple feeling of love that emanated of his mate.

“In a month Love your going to be a father.” He whispered with something similar to awe in his voice. Severus smiled sitting up to kiss just above Harry’s navel.

“So will you m’dear.” He replied with a smirk. Harry laughed,

“No,” he corrected, “In a month I will be a mother.” He continued with a laugh.

An. I don’t think I’m ever writing a Christmas scene with this many people ever again. =P Btw I didn’t mean that weddings in general were boring just that there’s only so much description I can go into before I get bored of writing about it. I don’t think I’m going to do a big wedding scene again anytime soon either. And I threw in the date there to give some perspective; I decided to go along with Harry’s presumed birth date sometime around 1980 so when the twins start their first year the story will be in the year 2010. The Prequel will most likely be up later today and I don’t think it’ll be to long just the birth of the twins and maybe Draco’s childe I’m not sure. =P I have the first chapter of the sequel written so once we finish this monster off I’ll post that.
Ps: Someone asked me who’s the submissive in the Draco/Ron/Az tirade and the answer is…Az. XD Az is submissive to Ron like Draco, but Az isn’t submissive to Draco where Draco is somewhat submissive to Az. I’m sure I’ll find a reason to write a smut scene for that in the sequel if only because I want to write the smut. =P